Method and means for drying fruits



April 10, 1928., 1,665,627

H. HEIDENHAIN METHOD AND MEANS FOR DRYING FRUITS Filed July 1-2. 1927 INVENTOR ATTORNEY .paratory to Patented Apr. 10, 1928.

HEINRICH nnrnnunnrmor WENATCHEE, wasnruerou.

METHOD Ann MEANS FOR DRYING rnnrrs.

Application filed July 12, 1927. Serial No. 205,089.

My invention relates to improvements in methods of, and means for, removing the moisture from fruits, as apples, pears-,and the like, after they have been washed, preparatory to packing, and the object of my invention is to provide an improved method of, and improved means for, removing the moisture from the stem cavities and the calyx or blossom cavities, of the fruit aftervwashing.

A more specific object is to devise a new method for removing the moisture from the calyx cavities and stem cavities of freshly washed fruit by subjecting sa-id'cavities to the simultaneous action of an air jet and a suction. Y

Other and more specific objects will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying draw- Vhen fruits, asapples, are washed,pre"- packing,it is not possible, by ordinary drying methods, to remove all of the moisture from the stem cavity and calyx or blossom cavity. If this moisture is not removed it is detrimental to the fruit and tends to promote decay. It is the purpose of my invention to devise a cheap,rpractical and eflicient method for removing this moisture.

In accordance with my invention I take the apples or other fruits that have been washed and first remove the moisture from the cheeks or sides of said fruits using any approved method of washing and drying. These methods usually or often leave moisture in the calyx and stem cavities of the fruits. To remove this moisture I subject each of the aforementioned cavities to the simultaneous action of an air jet and a suction, the air jet tending to loosen up the moisture and blow the same out of remote corners of the cavities and the suctionpicking up the moisture and carrying it away. In this manner I am able to remove substantially all of the moisture from the cavities, leaving the fruits in proper condition for packing.

The accompanying drawings illustrate, somewhat diagrammatically a preferred form of apparatus that may be used for carrying out my process but'it will be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the use of this form of apparatus.

In the-drawings Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic fragmentary view in elevation of apparatus that may be used. in carrying out my nvention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the same; and

Fig. 3 is a detached view of a preferred form of drying nozzle.

Referring to the drawings, throughout.

which like reference numerals designate like parts, 5 designates a moving belt which may be provided with holes 6 for the reception of fruit as apples 7. A plurality of duplex nozzle units are provided above and below the belt 5, each ofsaid nozzle units comprising a tubular suction nozzle 8 and a tubular air jetnozzl'e 9, the'tips of which are arranged inclose proximityto each other and are made of such a shape and placed in such aposition and. at such an angle that they may slide on thesurface of the apples and may drop into the cavities of the apples without hanging or hooking on. "The size of the opening of the tip is usually about one thirty second of an inch but may be larger or smaller as-required.

It is. characteristic of my method that the blast and suction takeplace within close range of the object. As a matter of fact the suction pipe is touching the surface of the fruit at almost all times. By doing so, the moisture is removed cifectively and economically andlbut little power is required to provide for the blast and the suction. Any method which attempted to dry fruit by with flexible tubeslO and 11 respectively' a blast of air delivered from greater diswhich may be of rubber, and which permit i the nozzle members to move freely to automatically adjust themselves to the proper location. on the fruit. The flexible tubes 10 As the apples are moved between the upentered and served by the nozzle unit or fruit and vvill notdanm e or scar the fruit. lVhen oneof the nozzle units drops into a per and lowersets of nozzle'unitssaid nozzles will enter the calyx cavities 13 and stem cavities 140f the apples and all moisture Will be blown and sucked out of said cavities. Due to the fact that some ,applesare not regular in shape andtoithe fact that the apples are not always accurately placedin the holes in the belt I preferto stagger the nozzle units as to position as shown in Fig. 2 so that if the calyx or stem cavity is not units that are positioned in a mid plane it Will be entered and servcd'by those positioned to the right or left of the mid plane. Bythis arrangerneuhas much variation of position of the apple as may be desired'inay be provided for. The rubber "tubes 10 and ll support thenozzles yieldingly so that said nozzles may be freely nioved sidewjise or vertically to accon'nnodateapplesor other fruit of varying size and position, The nozzlesare easily moved by contactfwith the cavity in thefruit it xvillctlectiveljr remove all moisture from said cavity. j y

In Fig. 3 I have shown a preferred form of nozzle einbodying suction, tube 15 connected with aflexible conduit 17 anda jet tube 18 connected with a flexible conduit 19L The suction tube and jet tube are preferably rigidly. oonnected together. The jet conduit 19 is of'light flexible material "and the suction conduit 17 is of'heavier material. The nozzle is supported entirely and solely from the suction conduit tube 17 as by a support 20. This gives greater and more uniform flexibility in all directions than when both tubes aresupported. j

The operation of the invention \villbe fully understood from themforegoing de-l script-ion, the apples being placed on the belt, which preferably moves at constant speed are carried pastthe nozzle unitswhich enter the cavities and remove all of the 1noisture from said cavities leaving the apples dr and ready. for packing.

t Will be obvious that the moisture, tin-- der sorne conditions, can be removed from some cavities by means of the suction nozzle, only, but Where the cavities are 'of such shape and depth that the suction nozzle can not reach the bottom thereof the' air from the jet nozzle 9 will blow the moisture'out of the depth of the cavity and raise it to a positionvvhere the suction in the nozzle 8 \villcarryit away. j:' IThe foregoing"description and accompanying drawings clearly disclose a preferred embodiment 1 of ,myi invention but it, will be understood that this disclosure is merely "illustrative and that such changes may beiresorted to as are fairly Within'the scope andspiritofthe following claims. What I claim v V v j '1. Fruit drying devices ofthe class described eir'ibodying a yie'ldinglysupported suction nozzle capableof entering cavities, in the surfaces of frtiits and means for progressiyely nioving thefruits into engage ment with the vacuum nozzle. '2. Fruit drying devices, embodying a duplex nozzle arranged for simultaneously de liveringajet of air and producingn suction, means 'yieldingly supporting said noz zle hand iin erins for progressively rnoving' fruit past said nozzle a inanner whereby the nozzle will be caused'to enter the can,

ties at the location of the calyx and stem of the fruit.

f3", In fruit drying devices of th'e'class' described, ainov ng belt having holes for receiving and holding globular fruit, ivhereby one side of the fruit is exposed oneach side of the belt, a plurality ofvacuu n nozzles disposed on opposite sides oflthe belt, and tube means for flexibly supporting saidnoz zles in contact with the-fruit whereby the" nozzles will becaused to enter the "cavities in the blossoln and stein ends ofthe fruit as thefruit is inov ed pastthenozzles. j

fl. In fruit, drying devices of the class dcscribed, alinoving belt adapted, to receive and hold globular fruit with one side of the fruit ex osedon each side/of the belt,,a -plurality 0 combined suction and air jet nozzles arrangedon opposite'sides ofysaid belt, and flexible tube meansfiexibly supporting said" nozzles in the path of movement of the fruit whereby the suction and aindischarge ends of the nozzles will be caused toenter the cavities iii-the blossom and stein ends of the fruit as the fruit is inovedprogressively past the nozzles. E f

" In witness whereof, I hereuntosubscribe naine this 5th day of J uly, A; D. 1927.

HEINRIGH nninnnnnin, 

